Toyota stresses its retail prowess but through 10 months dealership sales were 3.9 percent higher while fleet jumped 15 percent and now accounts for 10 percent of the sales mix.

General Motors has said it is slashing low-margin sales to daily-rental fleets. And through 10 months its retail rose 8 percent while fleet is 3.2 percent lower. But GM said October fleet soared 16 percent "due to rental customer demand."